Why would someone say "see you" when you're seeing them for the last time?

[Anonymous]

I didn't get it. Bye would have been more appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Well it could be out of habit. Some people may not have a word for bye in their language like mine. We say see you later because eventually you’re going to see them again, maybe not in this life, maybe in the afterlife. That’s what we believe. Bye is for someone you’re never ever going to see again. But maybe they know they will see you again later in the week, or in the afternoon, a year from now.

[WindAtMyBack]

Habit.

Plus, saying "bye" sounds too final. If they are friends or whatever, people like to think there is a chance of seeing each other again, even when they know it's highly unlikely.

[mathew1543]

Some people are used to saying that.

[Anonymous]

I say see ya not bye